Pneumatic massage apparatus.



5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

-Ezvenfio W? PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907.

s. HASBROUGK.

PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.10,1903.

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PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907.

-APPLIOATION FILED A PR.10,1903.

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m w i I i l 2 'L i m J I! i? !f I: 6 m y Ryan/ 60 PATENTED JAN. 15,1907'. S. HASBROUOK. PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.10,1903.

6 SHEBTSSHEET 3.

No. 841,146. A PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. s. HASBROUOK.

PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED APK.10,1903.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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'PATENTED JAN. 15, 1 907.

's. HASBROUGK. PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 10,1903.

5 SHEETSSHBET 5.

m%nesses:

W Mag y UNITED STATES PATENT FFIG.

SAYER HASBROUCK, or PROVIDENCE, anoni: ISLAND.

PNEUMATIC MASSAGE APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern/:-

Be it known that I, SAYER HASBROUCK, of

Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic MassageApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to pneumatic massage apparatus, and has forits object to provide certain improvements therein by means of which thepneumatic massage can be definitely and accurately controlled by theoperator in such way that-his treatment of a patient may be definite andaccurate, to be re eated or changed at will.

A ther object of the invention is to control separately or conjointlythe two forces which for the purposesof this specification.

may be termed suction and pressure,-so that the operator may secure atwill under accurate control either continuous suction, oscillatory orvibratory suction, continuous pressure, or oscillatory or vibratorypressure, and may also vary. the amount of suction or pressure inaccordance with the requirements of the case. i

To these ends the invention consists of a massage apparatus havingcertain novel features which are described in the followingspecification and are illustrated on the accompanying drawings.

In carrying out my invention I have found it to be desirable, if notessential, to provide between the generator and the therapeuticappliance or at the point of application of the appliance anair-cushioning chamber by which the forces may be controlled or modifiedwith accuracy. In actual practice two air-cushions may be provided, onebeing a relatively large chamber, formin a part of the controllingapparatus, and the other a smaller cushioning-chamber located as near aspossible to the point of application, Fur.- ther, the largercushioning-chamber may be located between the controlling mechanism andthe generator, Whereas the smaller chamber may be located between thepoint of application andthe controlling apparatus andfor best results asnear as possi le to the exact point of. application.

1 For convenience in nhraseology the appliances which are directlyapplied to the various portions of the human anatomy may be termed cups,and it will be understood that by this term I mean to include each andevery form of appliance whether cup- Specification of Letters Patent.

- Applioationjiled April 10, 1903. Serial No. 151.962.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

shaped or not that may be coupled to the massage apparatus or that maybe used for utilizing the forces generated and controlled by theapparatus.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents inperspective view a massage apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 2 isa longitudinal section through the piston and cylinder, which arehereinafter termed the generator. Fig. 3 represents a section throughthe suction-chamber and the parts adjacent thereto. Fig. 4 represents asimilar section through the pressure-chamber and the controllingmechanism adjacent thereto. Figs. 5 and 6 represent earcups, which. areemployed for massaging, the ear. Fig. 7 represents a Y, which may beused for coupling two cups when desired. Fig. 8 represents theleeching-cup, which may be employed in connection with the apparatus.

igs. 9 and 10 represent the musclemup,

-which is used for massaging various'individbest formof the inventionnow known to me I do not limit myself, except where specificallyclaimed, toany details of construction or arrangement of parts, thatportions of the ry-cupping apparatus may be re laced by theirequivalents, and that the p aseology employed in the specification isfor the purpose of description and explanation and not of limitation.

Referring to Figs. 1 'to 4, inclusive, the appai'atus there shownincludes a suitable motor, such as an electric motor, (indicated at a.)Preferably a shunt-wound electric motor is employed, as -itprovides amore uniform and better-controlled force. motor may be varied'in theusual manner by the lever a. and, further, by lamps or other resistance,the lamps being indicated at (1 The generator consists of a cylinder 1)and a piston b for effecting the compression or rarefaction of the airin the cup. The piston-rod b is connected with a crank-disk c on a shaft0, said shaft being provided with a grooved pulley 0 connected by a belta with the reducing-pulley a. on the motor-shaft.

The piston-rod b is adjustably mounted The speed of this upon thecrank-disk 0, so that the crank-pin charge of air moved thereby definitein volume, the cylinder is provided with an adjustable end or head d,-mounted upon a threaded tube d, assed through the stationarycylinder-hea and secured in position by a setnut d.

Screwed into the side of the cylinder is a release-valve mechanismconsistin of a tube a, having a valve-seat e for a ba -valve e. Themovement of the valve away from the seat is limited by a pin or sto c.This valve mechanism is employed 0 y for continuous suction, such aswhen the apparatus is used for dry-cupping, leeching, or as anaspirator; as will be subsequently explained, and therefore thevalve-casing e is externally threaded at its ends to receive a cap a, bymeans of which it may be closed when other ap liances are used.

he cylinder sup orted u on a suitable frame, (indicated at this ame, themotor, the resistance or rheostat, and the other parts of the apparatusto be hereinafter described all being firmly aflixed upon a basef,

which is preferably metallic for the purpose of holding the varlousdetermined position.

The tube (1 inaddition .to adjusting the cylinder b alsooperates toconnect the cylinder with the cushioning and controlling appliances. Itbe seen that when the ca a is in place-and the piston b is reciprocateit o crates to alternately force the air outwar through the tube (1 andto draw it inward therethrough. When the cap e is reparts inaccuratepremoved, however,- the air escapes. through the release-valveas the piston moves-toward the end d; butas the piston moves away fromit the valve seats and the air is' drawn inward through the tube 11' Theend of the tube d is in the shape of a ni ple (i -to receive the vconnecting-tube 1c, lea

to the cushioning and controlling apparatus. 1

Referring now to Fig. 1, it will be observed that secured u on u rightsor columns 9 g, from the ase, there is a shelf or table g u on which aresup 'orted two cushioningc ambers h i, whlch are respectively thechambers for the two forces pressure and suction. Between these twochambers is a conduit 7', provided with a three-way valve the inlet 7'of which is connected by a flexiiile tube k with the tube (1 of thecylinder or generator. By shifting. the valve-handle 9' to pointbackward or forward either chamber h or 'i may be directl connected withthe generator b, Each 0 these two chambers provides means for cushioningthe suction or pressure, as will be subsequently explained.

Referring to 3, which illustrates in dc tail the suction-c rnber,v itwill be observed that it is provided at its top with a releasevalve cas''i, having a ball-valve '11, adapted to seat itse b gravity against theseat '5 6 5 In'the event 0 this chamber being used for both pressure andsuction the valve-casing is exteriorly threaded to receive a cap 11,which under ordinary circumstances to prevent its being lost is screwedu on a lug h on the top of the chamber h, as s own in Figs. 1 and 4.Projecting laterally from the chamber"; is a Irelease-cock i for thepurpose of varying the extent of the suction or vacuum inthe cham ber11..

The chamber h is substantially similar to that at 'i, (see Fig.4,)except that the releasevalve casing k projects downwardly from thebottom of the chamber and the ballvalve hf is normally seated by gravityagainst a seat h. The valve is limited in its movement away from theseat by a pin or stud If. This chamber is likewise provided with avalve-cock h for varying the extent of pressure in the chamber.Connected with the chamber 11 is a three-way-valve casing m. a

This casing is formed'with a ni le m for the rece tion of a conduit andwit a threaded nipp e m", to which is screwed the valve-casing m havinga seat m for the reception of a ball-valve m m indicates a pipe which isconnected by a suitable coupling with a second pi e n, which will besubsequently describedin' etail. Interposed, between the valve-casing mand the pipe m is an adjustable sleeve or coupling m having an annulus mprojecting into the valve-casing m Between the end of the annulus andthe ball valve' m is interposed a helical spring m; The function of thisspring and adjustable coupling will be explained after the balance ofthe apparatus is described.

' The ressure-chamber h has connected to it an e how 0, the lowerportion of which is formed into a valve-casing to provide a seat 0 for aballvalve 0 The extremity of the casing is externally threaded toreceive an adjustable coupling 0 similar to that at m, and having anannulus 0, between which and the valve 0 is located a helical spring 0In threaded engagement with the coupling ed in apertures and secured tothe base f.

The pipe n extends from the pipe 0 to the pipe m. It is providedwith thethree-way valve p, from which leads a conduit (1 to a coupling 1'. Thiscoupling is provided with a nipple (not shown) for the reception of aflexi ble conduit .9, tothe end of which may be at;

tached the various cups to be applied directly" to the body, Projectingupwardly from the: coupling 1' is a pipe leading to the g'ageft' pipebeing provided with the valveft" means of which the gage may be out o tBy means of they valves p and 1'" either chamber maybe connected withthe generator'and the cup, each of said valves being provided with asuitable handle for the purpose of turning it to proper position. v 'jair from the pipe m and the conduit 8. Each rator.

From this description it will be seen that .by connecting thepressure-chamber h with the. generator a predetermined quantity of minednumber of pounds or ounces, and that -when the suction-chamber i, isconnected to the generator the atmospheric pressure in the chamber maybe reduced to a predetermined number of ounds or ounces, according tothe charge of air which is intermittently withdrawn therefrom by thepiston of the gene- By means of the valve-cocks 11 and h the extent inpounds and ounces of the ressure and the suction in the two chambers iand i may be varied by the operator as circumstances require.

Assuming that continuous pressure or continuous suction is desirable, byadjusting the valves last referred to.the operator may secureany desiredsuction or pressureas, for instance, six ounces or two pounds, more orless. The purpose of the valve-adjusting couplings 0 m is to chan e thecontinuous suction or pressure to oscil ating or intermittent suction orpressure, as may be desired, without varying the extent in pounds orounces of such suction or pressure. To explain this, reference maybe hadto Fig. '3, and it should be remembered always that the cup on the endof the conduit 8 is assumed to be in contact with the body, so that itis closed.

. It may be further assumed thatthe valves p andj are set to connect thegenerator with the suction-chamber i and the suction-chamber i with theconduit .9. Now if the parts be in the position shown in Fig. 3 thereciprocation of the piston b of the generator will tend to withdraw theair from the suctionchamber i, and in turn this will exhaust the timethe air is withdrawn the valve-m will raise from its seat. Upon thereturn stroke of the piston the valve will immediately seat itself, sothat the suction on that portion of the body to which the cup is appliedwill be continuous.

Assuming now that it be desired to have a gradually-increasing extent ofsuction, the cap a may be removed from the generator, so

- that as each charge of air is withdrawn from the suction-chamber andthe conduit sit will be expelled upon the return stroke through therelease-valve e. Assuming, again, that the operator may desire to securean oscillating or vibratory suction, he may adjust the coupling m so asto lift the valve m slightly from its seat and place the cap 6 upon thecasing e.- It will be observed from this that as the piston breciprooates a charge of air will be withdrawn from the chamber 71 andfrom the conduit 8 and will be permitted to return to the chamberifbutthe valve m will be in such position as to cut ofl a part of thecharge from returning to the conduit 8.

the valve m The reciprocation of the piston is necessarily rapid, sothat a charge will be again withdrawn before it has time to fully workpast In this way although there will be a suction or a partial vacuum inthe cup at all times the extent of that vacuum or suction will vary oroscillate, as it is termed, for each reciprocation of the piston in thegenerator. This described action is precisely the reverse of that whichoccurs in the pressure apparatus as shown in Fig. 4.

here a continuous pressure is desired, the valve 0 is held yieldinglyagainst its seat by the spring o so that the air contained be tween thevalve and the cup is prevented from escaping, and theatmosphericpressure in the cup is therefore increased to a predeterminedextent; but where the oscillating pressure is desired the coupling 0 isscrewed downward so as to permit the valve to drop slightly from itsseat and permit the escape of a portion of the air contained in the cupwhen the piston in the generator moves outward.

importance in the therapeutic employment to begin andto terminate thetreatment:

The gage further serves as a telltale and instantly conveys to theoperator a perfect knowledge of the working condition of the controllingmechanism.

It has already been stated that in connection with the appliance may berovided a' plurality of cups for a variety 0 purposes. On Fig. 1 theconduit 8 is provided at its end with an eye-cup, as shown in Fig. 12;This cup is indicated at 1 and it is adapted to fit closely around theeye. It is large enough to provide a cushioning-chamber between theconduit 8 and the eyeball. This cup .may be used for either continuoussuction,

continuous pressure, oscillating or vibratory pressure, or oscillatoryor vibratory suction- The'employment of this cup is for the purpose oimassaging the entire eye to strengthen the muscles and increase thecirculation. In Figs. 9 and. is illustrated another eyecup whichisparticularly'adapted for the the eyeb all..

ator may by opening orclosing the aperture -placed upon an angular varythe-extent of suction orpressure upon the muscles. This eye-cup'isgenerally employed with oscillatorysuction for the mas sage of theeye-muscles.

[n Fig. '14 is illustrated what may be termed a corneal cup for thecorrection 9f astigmatism. This cup-,-as indicated M7, is

adapted tofit on the front of the-eyeball and to approximate theshape ofthe-cornea. By concaving the mouth of the cup in any axis and usingcontinuous suction the cornea may be drawn to proper shape to overcomecorneal distortion, and thus correct the eye to normal. A This cornealcup is enlarged sufiicientlyto provide a-cushioning-chamber, as at 8. Itis provided with the ni ple 9 for connection with the conduit or tu as.

In Figs. 5 and 6 are illustrated cupsto be usedfor the massage of theear, each of'which consists of a rubber nipple 10 for insertionin theouter ear. Each of these nipples is tube having at 11 a cushionin-chamber.

hereinbefore described, and it =may be used as a Siegles otoscope, forit is apparent that the operator may see through the-tubeand the nippleinto the ear, so as to watch the effect of the massage uponthc-tympanum; These cups are connected by flexible'tubes 12 12 with ahard rubber or glass Y 13, by which they may be attached to the tube orconduit 8 or can be connected without the Y and used separately. Each ofthe cups is thus flexibly secured to the-tube, and may be adjusted bythe operator of the patient to effect the best. results. By means of anap paratus of this character oscillating or continuous suction orpressure may be'used in The'tube is prefer-' ably forme of glass, asarethe other cupstrolthe extent of the vacuum or suction in the cu cu' likethe eye-cup-in 12, is arge enoug to provide a cushioningchamber.

In Fig. 8 a leeching-cupis illustrated, which is bent in angular for-1nto provides. receptacle 1-7 for the blood and a-mouth 18 to be I pressedagainst'theflesh; At 19 this cup'is ormed with an aperturefoi;controlling the suction or vacuum in the cup. The-cup is furtherprovided with-a nipple 20 for attach ment to the conduit 8-.

Direct suctionis utilized for' the last I two 7 mentionedcups, and-it isfor this purpose that the'valve misprovided withthe nipple m, so thata-lilexible conduit]: maybecon nected directly therewith; soas to cutoutthesuction; or vacuum chamber -11. Asthe suction may be=1ncreased=- to aconsiderable extent; it is'usual in this 'case-tocut out the ga etbymeans of the cut-oil valve; Fig.-; 1.

t is a parentthat in the. lieu oft etwo chambers ban '5, aisinglechamber mayibe employed, in whichcase it would be provided withtwovalves similar to" those at '1. and 72. with a cap-.that could-be usedto throw either valve out :of action as pressure orsuotion should berequiredr- The-charhber 'h or- 01,-withit's escape cock, provldes aconvenient :means for'regulating the'extent' of pressure or suction orvacuum,

as the case may. be; and the adjustable coup,- ling or sleeve providesfor changing "t e character of the force" from directto- 'oscili-- lat vor vibratoryyorvice versas Each eup' may e formed with air aperture,asshown in Figs. 9 and lofso-that the operator can still furtherdirectl'y control the-application- -ofthe-forces tothe organs oftheodyJby opening or closingi-theaperture. It seems from ex eriencet point0 application is dsirabledn-order to prevent theformati'on of a-,deadend in the tube 8, particularly when-theamount of pressure and suctionis slight, since the'endof the tube is'close'd when the cupis-ap lied tothe'body and the friction of the wafis of the a tube against the airtends to check its movement at the end of the tube unless there bea'relatively'large body of-air atsaidend' which responds to theaction-of the air in 'the tube.

Having thus explained the nature of the ati-an air chamber at theinvention and'described a way. of'constructing and using the same;although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which itmay be made or all of the modes of its use, I declare that what I claimis I 1. A pneumatic massage apparatus, com prising "a generator forcreating the forces of pressure and suction; a pup, and=controllingapparatus, for changing each of said forcesfrom continuous tooscillating, or'vice versa.

2. A pneumaticmassage apparatus, com

prising a pressuregenerator, a cup,- and controlling mechanism havingprovisions for varymg the pressure from continuous to oscillating, orvice versa.

3. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising a generator for creating asuction or vacuum, a cup, and controlling mechanism forchangmg thesuction from continuous to osclllatmg, or vice versa.

*4. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising a generator, a cupconnected to the generator, means for varying the extent of the forcecreated by the generator, whether it ..be suction or pressure, and meansfor vchang ing the character of the force to render it continuous, orelse intermittent.

5. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising a generator, a cup connectedto the generator, and a chamber located between the cup and thegenerator and through which the air must pass from the generator to thecup, and vice versa, and having a valve-cock, whgreby the extent of theforce may be var1e v v 6. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising agenerator, a cup connected to the generator, a check-valve mechanism,and means for adjusting the valve with relation to its seat, to changethe force from continuous to intermittent, or vice versa. I 7. Apneumatic apparatus comprising a generator, a cup connected to thegenerator, a chamber located between the on and the generator and havinga valve-coo and an prising a generator, a pair of independent.

chambers, having oppositelyeacting checkvalves, means for connectingeach of. said chambers with said generator, a cup, and means forconnecting each of said chambers withsaid cup.

10.- A pneumatic massage apparatus com- .prising a generator, a pair ofindependent ton, in combination with a cup, a connection between said onand said cylinder, and means whereby the pulsating charges of air causedby the reciprocation of the piston effect similar pulsations in the cup,or are changed to positive suction or positive pressure.

12. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising a generator, a cup, anair-chamber intervening between the generator and the cup,

and conduits connecting said air-chamber with said generator, and saidcup respec-- tively. A

13. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising a generator, a cup, anair-chamber intervening between the generator and the cup,

conduits connecting said air-chamber with said generator, and said cupres ectively, said air chamber having an in ependent valve.

14'. A pneumatic massage apparatus comprising a cup, a conduit leadingto said cup, and a generator for compressing or rarefying air in saidcup, said generator consisting of a piston, and a cylinder having anadjustable ead and also having the conduit communicating with itsinterior.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

SAYER HASBROUCK.

Witnesses:

C. O. STECHER, P. W. PEZZETTI.

